๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฆ 25, 2025 โ ๐๐ช๐ต๐บ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ, ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต๐ฉ ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ข๐ฃ๐ข๐ต๐ฐ, ๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ญ๐ช๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ด โ Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU) reaffirmed its commitment to marine conservation and sustainability through its active participation in the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the DENR Marine Scientific Research Station (MSRS) initiative in Southern Mindanao.
Held on June 25, 2025, the event brought together key leaders from higher education institutions (HEIs), government agencies, and the private sector to formalize their shared commitment to strengthening marine biodiversity research, climate resilience, and sustainable coastal resource management.
University President ๐ฝ๐ง. ๐๐๐ฃ๐ช๐๐ก ๐. ๐๐ ๐๐๐ค๐ฃ, ๐๐๐ delivered NDDUโs Statement of Affirmation and Commitment, emphasizing the universityโs dedication to using research as a tool for change and advocacy. โThis partnership is a testament to our role as educators and citizens in responding to environmental challenges through collaboration and science,โ he said.
Also representing NDDU as one of the Principal Partner Collaborators in this major regional initiative is ๐ฟ๐ง. ๐๐๐๐ฏ๐ก๐ ๐ฝ. ๐พ๐ค๐ง๐ค๐ฃ๐๐๐, whose leadership in marine science and academic research has helped shape the framework of the regional MSRS. Her active involvement reflects NDDUโs strategic commitment to interdisciplinary, data-driven research that influences both policy and community engagement.
Joining Br. De Leon in expressing their commitments were school administrators of HCCCI, NHSAFI, SNCFI, and MSU Gensan, with Dr. Julius Jerome G. Ele, Consortium Director of SOXAARRDEC. The MOA outlines each partyโs roles: the DENR Regional Office shall oversee policy, funding, and logistics, while HEI partnersโlike NDDUโwill contribute academic expertise, co-develop the research agenda, and provide support for training, capacity building, and community outreach.
The event also featured a Declaration of Commitment from Atty. Felix S. Alicer, Regional Executive Director of DENR XII, and was capped by Closing Remarks from Engr. Mama Samaan, Assistant Regional Executive Director for Technical Services, DENR XII.
This collaboration not only strengthens the regionโs capacity for environmental science but also aligns directly with the goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly ๐๐ฟ๐ 13 (๐พ๐ก๐๐ข๐๐ฉ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ) and ๐๐ฟ๐ 14 (๐๐๐๐ ๐ฝ๐๐ก๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง). As one of the lead collaborators, NDDUโthrough Dr. Coronicaโs expertise and the universityโs institutional dedicationโcontinues to lead the way in shaping sustainable futures through academic innovation.